Page 69 of Finding Forever

“And sidewalk chalk if it’s dry,” Laurel said.

Rachel lifted her eyebrows. “Sidewalk chalk?”

Laurel pointed toward the entrance. “We could give the kids a section of pavement and let them decorate it.”

Beth hesitated.

Laurel grinned. “That’s the idea I wasn’t allowed to mention.”

“You mentioned it anyway,” Beth reminded her.

“I waited almost twenty minutes.”

Susan laughed. “I think it would be lovely.”

Beth pictured children covering the pavement with flowers, animals, names, and brightly colored pictures. “All right,” she conceded. “Add sidewalk chalk if the weather’s okay.”

Laurel looked triumphant.

“But that’s the last new idea,” Beth warned her. “And you’re in charge of making sure everyone has chalk. And please call Pastor John. He has some fencing he’s used for church activities. It will stop any children from going on the road.”

Laurel nodded. “Good idea, and I’d be happy to organize it.”

After they’d talked about balloons and refreshments, Julie looked at each of her friends. “What about a cake?”

Beth frowned. “A cake?”

“A big one. With the arts center name on it.”

Laurel smiled at Julie. “That’s an excellent idea.”

Beth groaned. “We said no more ideas. Won’t cutting a red ribbon be enough?”

Susan pointed to the schedule in front of Beth. “Put the cake on the list. I’ll bake one and decorate it the day before the opening. You could cut it with Natalie. Dave might like to cut the cake, too. And remember to include him in the photos.”

Beth knew that Dave liked keeping a low profile, but she was determined to ask him. While Susan and Laurel discussed whether the cake should be vanilla or chocolate, Beth updated the program.

By the time they’d finished their meeting, more than an hour had passed.

Beth looked at the pages in front of her. After all the nights when she’d wondered whether they’d taken on more than they could handle, they were almost there.

Her throat tightened.

Rachel noticed. “Are you okay?”

Beth nodded and blinked quickly. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about the first time we stood in this building.”

Julie looked around. “It was awful.”

“It wasn’t awful,” Beth protested.

“It was pretty bad,” Susan said gently.

Laurel laughed. “Beth was the only one of us who could look at the building and see what it could become.”

Beth swallowed around the lump in her throat. “Lots of people saw it, especially Natalie.” She gathered Laurel’s schedules together, placing the one she’d used as a master list on the top. “I’ll type everything up tonight and give Natalie the program tomorrow.”

Laurel stood and carried the empty mugs toward the small kitchen. “And if they want changes?”